Hello dear friends! It’s the time of year when we book our vacation reservations for the beach and I start to dream of days spent relaxing by the shore. I absolutely love the ocean and hope to retire there one day, or maybe even have a vacation cottage in the not too distant future. Today I am sharing some easy, breezy coastal cottage style decor and dreamy beach cottages just for fun and inspiration. *This post contains affiliate links.

 

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Around June, I usually start to incorporate some beachy decorative touches around the house for summer. I adore simple and casual coastal cottage style decor, and I am always thinking of how I will decorate my dream beach home someday.

 

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I love the light airy feel of a coastal cottage, decorated with lots of whites and neutrals. This can be a great look if you want to create a minimalist style home.

 

Birch Lane

To help you decorate your new place, you might like to try a few home decor apps.  HomeByMeis an app you can check out what objects look like in your home before you buy them. You can test out decor items and furniture. The HomeByMe catalogue has plenty of branded products to choose from.

 

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Pops of blue, teal and green are perfect coastal color accents, as they mimic the beauty of the ocean, sea glass, and clear blue summer skies.

 

 

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Quintessential coastal cottage style incorporates lots of nautical collectibles, organic found objects, and decorative accents.

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I am particularly fond of vintage beach decor, and I have already started collecting pieces for our future coastal cottage.

 

Pier 1

Life at the beach is fun! Artwork and decor can be classy and sophisticated, yet whimisical at the same time.

 

Pottery Barn

 

Adventures In Decorating

 

Ballard Designs

 

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No matter the color scheme or furnishings used in coastal cottage decor, the emphasis should be on creating a space that is relaxing  as well as comfortable.

 

Of course every beach house needs a big ceiling fan to keep the cool air and coastal breezes flowing. 

 If you aren’t sure where the best place for a ceiling fan is, check out the infographic below.

 

 

Infographic Designed By Hunter Fan

 

 

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Since I was little I have dreamed of living by the sea or maybe even a few miles inland in a coastal town. Every year during our beach vacations my husband and I take a drive around to check out local neighborhoods and real estate. Because we will be at retirement age, we will only need a small home with a guest room. I am always swooning over small beach houses and charming coastal cottages!

 

 

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Because we will be at retirement age, we will only need a small home with a guest room. I am always swooning over small beach houses and charming coastal cottages! I already have a vintage bicycle…now we just need to find a little piece of land or a small fixer upper! I think this laid back living would be how to best enjoy Florida in a nice home.

 

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Building or renovating a small vacation home is something we have considered. Last year we realized that while buying a condo or home can be extremely expensive, it is sometimes possible to find an affordable small piece of property within driving distance to the ocean. If you are wanting water views, sound side property is generally far more affordable and very beautiful too. I would love to be able to wake up to the sound of water!

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If you are wanting water views, sound side property is generally far more affordable and very beautiful too. I would love to be able to wake up to the sound of water!

 

 

Coastal Living

My husband and I have done our fair share of remodeling and renovation, but building a home near the ocean (and in hurricane territory) is beyond our expertise, so we would definitely have to work with an experienced contractor like http://www.malarvillan.sewho could help us design the retirement coastal cottage of our dreams and take care of any questionable coastal cottage construction issues.

Life Is Better At The Beach Wooden Box Wall Sign Beach House Decor Sign 8″ x 8″ 

 

Of course you don’t have to live at the beach to embrace coastal cottage style and natural interior design. As summer approaches I will be sharing more ideas for adding simple nautical decorative touches around the house.

 

 

How about you, do you dream of living near the ocean blue? What is your favorite beach destination? I love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by!

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